You don’t need a large yard, expensive equipment, or years of experience to grow your own food. What you need is a clear place to start and a proven plan you can follow.
From Yard to Table is a first-season guide created for outdoor spaces under 500 square feet. Whether you have a patio, courtyard, or compact backyard, this book shows you how to turn that space into a productive food garden over a single growing season.
The book walks through the process step by step, beginning with how to understand your space. You will look at sunlight, layout, and what your garden can realistically support. From there, you will create a simple planting plan designed for small areas. The guide then shows you how to prepare healthy soil, plant ten reliable crops, and care for them throughout the summer.
Along the way, it addresses the common problems that often discourage new gardeners, including watering mistakes, overcrowding, poor soil preparation, and pest damage. By following the steps in order, you move steadily from an empty outdoor space to a garden that produces regular harvests.
Claire Maddox is a former middle school teacher based in Portland, Oregon. She began growing food in her own 400-square-foot backyard and gradually developed the small-space gardening methods shared in this book. Today she gardens with her husband, two children, and an inherited rosemary bush.
This guide is written for beginners who want clear instruction, practical decisions, and a garden that produces in it’s first season.
